Absorbent and time release material

ABSTRACT

An absorbent and time release material formed from a dried pulp impregnated with an impregnating substance such as wax or oil, that is ground to a powder or pellet form. The material can be used to suppress fires, reclaim land, retain water, provide traction on slippery surfaces, and enhance or replace soil mixes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/833,606, filed on Apr. 13, 2001, which is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CA99/00900, filed on Sep. 29, 1999, designating the United States, and this Application is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/284,983, filed on May 11, 1999, which is the National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/CA97/00857 (an application under 35 U.S.C. § 371), filed on Nov. 13, 1997, designating the United States.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent and time release material. More specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent and time release material that can be made from recyclable and waste materials and is environmentally friendly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent materials have a number of uses, from absorbing liquids, such as oil in a spill, to retaining water in soil. Numerous sources and compositions exist for absorbent materials. Generally, they are specific to a single task, expensive or have limited absorptive properties. It is desired to have a substantially clean absorptive material that is inexpensive, safe, convenient to use, uses readily available materials, and can be used for a number of applications.

Time release materials can be used for a variety of purposes. Generally, a base matrix is impregnated with a chemical or other substance that is released over time into the environment. A typical time release material is time release fertilizer. A problem with current time release materials is that the matrix confers no benefit to the surrounding environment, and may, in fact, be toxic to the environment. It is, therefore, desirable to provide time release materials that use an environmentally friendly base matrix, preferably one manufactured from recycled materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an absorbent and time release material comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a pulp from a fibrous material;     -   forming said pulp into a block;     -   drying said block in a controlled atmosphere;     -   impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance;     -   grinding said impregnated block to form a powdered material.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a material, manufactured in accordance with the method above, for recovering petroleum from a spill site.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a material, manufactured in accordance with the method above, where the preselected substance includes fertilizers or soil improving agents.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a material, manufactured in accordance with the method above, for stabilizing and binding soil.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a material, manufactured in accordance with the method above, for use as a traction agent.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a material, manufactured in accordance with the method above, impregnated with combustion suppressant substances or water, for combating fires.

In an aspect of the invention, said pulp may be materials such as cellulose or dried paper pulp, cloth, or pulp fibers.

In another aspect of the invention, the powdered material is formed into a preselected shape depending on its intended purpose and required absorptive and time release characteristics. The preselected shape will to a large extent depend on its intended purpose. Examples of suitable preselected shapes include pellets, granules, shavings and powder.

In a further aspect of the invention, a material is provided which further comprises waste material or recovery blends which are added to the pulp. Examples of such waste material include railway “ties”, telephone poles, creosote, calcium oxalate, powdered coal, waste material from the forestry and pulp and paper industries, and sludge wastes from wastewater treatment plants.

In another aspect of the invention, natural waste products may be incorporated into the material. In particular, garden waste, including natural fibers such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and natural cloth fibers may be incorporated into the pulp or natural wastes produced from industrial processing, such as fish fat from fish processing plants, or animal fat from slaughter houses could be incorporated into the preselected substance.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a material including a petroleum product such as motor oil and grease blended with fat products including petroleum wax.

The preselected substance includes all fat sources, including oils. Generally the liquid oils are solidified by blending the oils with a denser fat source such as wax. However, the liquid oils may be used without solidifying them. A liquid oil will be absorbed by a wood/paper fiber dried pulp.

Impregnating said preselected substance into said dried block includes, among other things, coating, saturating, covering, permeating and any other means of combining the substance with the dried block to achieve an absorbent and time release material once ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of an embodiment of a combustible fuel source, wherein in one embodiment, an absorbent and time release material is obtained from the waste created in the manufacturing of a combustible fuel source;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of an inverted conical combustible fuel source and an illustration of a cylindrical combustible fuel source, wherein, for each, the process of fuel vaporization and combustion is illustrated.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another embodiment of the combustible fuel source.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a section taken through lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a partially cut-away combustible fuel source in a stove;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of the combustible fuel source for use in wood or coal furnaces and the like;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an improved match which includes an embodiment of the combustible fuel source;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a combustible fuel source applied as a thin layer to a cooking pot; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a wood pellet combustible fuel source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an absorbent and time release material formed from a fibrous pulp of recyclable or waste products that can then be impregnated with a variety of substances, such as oils, fats, waxes, and chemical additives.

In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent and time release material is manufactured in the following manner. A pulp is formed from paper which is soaked in water and coarsely macerated. The resulting paper pulp is then pressed into a block and dried. The block can have any desired shape, and its size will depend primarily on the drying facilities available. Generally, a conventional oven is used to dry the block. Typically, the block is dried until it has a residual moisture content in the range of 0-15%.

Due to the fibrous nature of the original pulp, and the forming process used to form the block, the resulting dried paper pulp has a porous character capable of being impregnated with a number of substances. As used herein, impregnated means, among other things, coated, saturated, covered, permeated and any other method of combining the substance with the dried block to achieve an absorbent material once ground.

In a preferred embodiment, the dried, formed block is immersed into liquid paraffin wax or beeswax. The block absorbs the liquefied wax until it is saturated and then the impregnated block is removed from the liquefied wax and set aside to allow the wax to solidify.

Once solidified, the block is generally ground to form the absorbent and time release material. Grinding, as used herein, encompasses any suitable method of reducing the block to a particulate form. The methods contemplated include shaving, grinding, and sawing. The resultant particulate form of the absorbent material can be a fine or coarse powder, shavings, sawdust or other resultant form.

In one embodiment, the block comprises cellulose fibers. Specifically, the block comprises paper pulp which has been formed into the desired shape and dried. It has been found that the selection of the paper pulp influences the absorptive qualities of the absorbent material. Other suitable pulp materials include cloth, ground coal or charcoal.

Pulps used include coarse paper and fine paper pulps. The relatively coarse paper employed in egg crates has been tested. The coarse paper used in egg crates is essentially any over-processed wood fiber or short fiber like Krofta™ Fines, which are expelled during the manufacturing process of wood fibers to achieve fluff pulp. Fluff pulp is used in environmentally friendly diapers and feminine napkins. Because there is a portion of the wood fiber which becomes too short through breakage in manufacturing to be utilized in the machinery used to manufacture fluff pulp, it is dropped from the process as waste. In another test, finer paper, newsprint, was used. Newsprint is a finer paper because the wood strand is long and is still considered to be a quality material.

The impregnating substance preferably comprises a wax, such as paraffin wax or beeswax, although other waxes and wax-like substances such as animal or vegetable fats or shortening may also be employed, if desired.

Other embodiments of the absorbent material which have also been tested with favorable results, include blocks comprising leaves, needles, bark, any plant and animal fiber, hair, fur, ground bone, grass, cloth, leather, chaff from grain farming and processing, hay, straw, dust, lint, coal powder and steel wool. Impregnating substances which have been tested include beeswax, paraffin and petroleum waxes, fats and oils from sources including canola, soya, lard, vegetable or animal plus petroleum oils and greases. It is not necessary to use wax to blend and solidify the oils but it is preferred to allow for cleaner handling of the materials. Generally, the preference is to use a 50% blend of wax with a secondary substance chosen.

All of the above embodiments exemplified can also contain waste materials or recovery blends. A recovery blend is any material which would be potentially toxic if eaten, potentially toxic to the environment and/or are considered waste materials. For example, a clean fiber such as recycled non-toxic paper that has only been exposed to vegetable dyes is a natural blend not a recovery blend. Recovery blends include any material which may not be safe. In the case of cloth fiber, this material would not be considered a recovery blend if natural plant fiber was processed into the carrier and there were no toxic dyes in its composition. On the other hand, colored or chemically treated cloth fibers may be recovered efficiently by the process but could not be considered non-toxic prior to combustion and therefore are a recovery blend.

The recovery blends can be incorporated into the pulp or the impregnating substance. The general rule is that any material that can be blended with the oil or liquid wax and will pass thought the surface of the block is introduced into the impregnating substance saturation process and the others are introduced into make up of the pulp. The waste material can be processed into a powder and then blended with the wood/paper pulp. The blend is then pressed into the preselected shape to form the block, as discussed above.

In a further alternative, the waste material can itself from the block without a further fiber carrier. In this latter process, the waste material would be powdered and pressed into the appropriate shape.

Waste materials which have been employed include creosoted railway ties and telephone poles, creosote, powdered coal, calcium oxalate solids, krofta fines, bark, wood/paper and ink waste stream material from recycled paper industry. In addition waste sludge from waste water treatment plants may also be appropriate material to include in the block.

Waste materials that are not detrimental to the environment but are often placed in household waste can be incorporated into the block, including garden waste, leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and natural cloth fibers. In addition, certain natural wastes created in industrial processing, such as fish processing plants which produce fish fat as waste, or slaughter houses which produce animal fat as waste, can be incorporated into the absorbent material of the invention.

In one embodiment, the absorbent and time release material is obtained from the waste created in the manufacturing of a combustible fuel source. In particular, the waste created when a fuel block or other preselected shape has been cut to size.

In FIG. 1A there is illustrated an embodiment of the combustible fuel source. The combustible fuel source is indicated generally at 20. The combustible fuel source 20 is shown resting on support surface 27. Fuel source 20 comprises a body 24 formed of a porous carrier and a solid fuel. The exposed surface 26 on the body 24 is where the combustion largely takes place and is termed the combustion surface.

As used herein in relation to the combustible fuel source, the term “porous” is intended to comprise any carrier structure which is substantially porous to vaporous of the vaporized solid fuel permitting vapours from solid fuel which is vaporized within body 24 to move to the exterior of body 24 to combustion surface 26.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in a present embodiment, body 24 is shaped in the general form of a truncated cone and includes, at the apex of the cone, a combustion initiating means, such as wick 28, and an ignition means, such as a safety match 32 which is partially embedded into body 24 adjacent wick 28.

It should be noted that wick 28 is only provided to ease the initiation of combustion of fuel source 20 and wick 28 need not be provided in circumstances wherein other means of initiating combustion of fuel source 20 are available. In fact, when provided, wick 28 is generally quite short in length and will only burn for a relatively short period of time. Similarly, safety match 29 is only provided as a convenience and safety match 29 need not be provided in circumstances wherein other means of igniting fuel source 20 are available.

It should also be noted that fuel source 20 is not limited to a body of generally conical shape and other shapes may be employed as desired. As will be described below, combustion of fuel source 20 involves a surface effect and thus different shapes provide different combustion characteristics. For example, a generally conical shape has a large surface area and provides relatively large amounts of heat, but burns correspondingly quicker than shapes with relatively smaller exposed surface areas which provide relatively less heat but burn slower and accordingly longer for the same volume of material.

In one embodiment, the porous carrier of body 24 of the combustible fuel source comprises cellulose fibres. Specifically, body 24 comprises paper pulp which has been formed into the desired shape and dried. It has been found that the selection of the paper pulp influences the combustion properties of fuel source 20. In particular, paper pulp of relatively coarse fibres results in a fast and hot combustion relative to that obtained from fuel source 20 when paper pulp of relatively finer fibres is employed. Other suitable porous materials include cloth, ground coal or charcoal. It is believed that finer paper fibres provide a slower burn because the porous carrier is more dense and less permeable to the vapours so that the vapours travel more slowly through the body 24 to the combustion surface 26.

It has also been determined that the porous carrier need not be combustible. Specifically, other porous materials such as ground pumice, sand and granular ceramic materials have been employed with favourable results.

When a combustible porous carrier is used there is added energy which is given off in the combustion of the product since the carrier is combusted. After combustions of a combustible fuel source having a combustible porous carrier, the remaining ash is lightweight and easily disposed. On the other hand, the non-combustible carrier is able to facilitate combustion of the fuel but it itself is not combusted and therefore there is no additional energy added.

While not completely understood, it is presently believed that two factors generally influence the performance of the porous carrier in the combustible fuel source. These two factors are (i) the ability of vaporized fuel and oxygen to move through the porous carrier; and (ii) the ability of the porous carrier to transfer heat from the combustion surface 26 into body 24 to vaporize the solid fuel. In addition, selection of the porous carrier will affect the ash remaining after the fuel source has combusted. For example, use of a combustible material as a porous carrier will result in little waste materials (ash) and a second combustion stage while use of non-combustible materials will result in more waste material and no second combustion stage, as described below.

Although it has not been conclusively determined, it is believed that the combustible fuel source has a very efficient and effective combustion as a result of the mechanism of action described below. In particular, the initial combustion on the surface of the porous carrier carries heat inwards towards the centre of the combustible fuel source where the solid fuel is liquefied (if the fuel is not in liquid form), vaporized and transported to the surface of the porous carrier where it is combusted. The process of liquefying, vaporizing and transporting the vaporized fuel to the surface is termed osmosis. It is believed that this osmosis occurs simultaneously while oxygen is drawn into the porous carrier and into the vaporized solid fuel and as such the oxygen is then carried with the vapour to the surface of the carrier to be combusted.

As the surface of the porous carrier is carbonized by the increasing heat from the surface combustion, the situation described above generally becomes more efficient. It is believed that the increased efficiency is due to the increasing carbonized surface which contains no solid fuel to impede the osmosis occurring, allowing an increasing blend of oxygen and vaporized fuel. Then the solid fuel nears exhaustion, the center of the porous carrier achieves a high temperature and begins to cause the porous carrier to “coal”. As surface combustion of the vaporized fuel expires, it is believed that there is a cooler area within the porous carrier between the coal center and the carbonized surface which will smolder for a short time. It has also been observed at this stage there that appears to be a release of a white vapour of water. As the coal center takes over the combustion of the remaining material of the porous carrier, if it is a combustible porous carrier, the carbonized carrier is able to realize a complete combustion initiated from the center of the carrier or the coal center.

Based on this theory of the mechanism of action of the combustible fuel source, the combustible fuel source is believed to be combusted in two stages. First, there is the osmosis of the solid fuel wherein the heat from the combustion travels towards the center of the body vaporizing the fuel which then moves to the surface where it is combusted while oxygen is simultaneously drawn into the vaporized fuel and then to the combustion surface where it also is consumed in the combustion. Second, if the porous carrier is combustible, the porous carrier will begin to combust from the center of the body outwards. During both the first and second stage, the combustible fuel source generally remains intact and the only notable change from an external visual examination is the shrinkage of the carrier. However, if the combustible fuel source is handled it will disintegrate revealing a very fine ash similar to the waste material achieved by a “kiln” disposition of similar material.

It is believed that the ability of oxygen to permeate the carrier and then be comsumed on the surface with the vaporized fuel is one of the reasons for the very efficient and effective combustion of the combustible fuel source.

Furthermore, because the combustion process uses oxygen very effectively, the combustion can be stopped almost instantly by the elimination of the oxygen during the first stage of combustion. If it is desirable to stop combustion in the second stage of the burn, it is necessary to restrict the oxygen for a more extended period of time. Although surface combustion expires immediately, the coal effect continues to maintain high heat and when using a combustion chamber the fuel must cool before oxygen is reintroduced or the combustion may resume on the surface of the fuel. This aspect of the efficient use of oxygen also allows for added safety when using the fuel. For example, a chimney fire can be subdued quickly by restricting oxygen to the fuel within the combustion chamber, the resulting burst of vapour will generally suffocate the flames in the chimney.

The solid fuel of body 24 preferably comprises a wax, such as paraffin wax or beeswax, although other waxes and wax-like substances such as animal or vegetable fats or shortening may also be employed, if desired. In combustion, portion of the solid fuel are first liquefied and then vaporized for combustion. As will be apparent, the porous carrier serves to hold liquefied fuel and to allow the vaporized fuel to move through the carrier to the combustion surface 26.

While waxes or the like are presently preferred for convenience, cost and environmental considerations, it is presently believed that the only required criteria for the solid fuel is that it can be vaporized by the heat present within body 24 when fuel source 20 is being combusted and that its vapours can move through the porous carrier to the combustion surface.

The manufacture of fuel source 20 of FIG. 1A has been performed in the following manner. The porous carrier is formed from paper which is soaked in water and coarsely macerated to obtain paper pulp which is then pressed into a generally conical shape and dried. The dried, formed porous carrier is then immersed into liquid paraffin wax or beeswax. The carrier absorbs the liquefied wax until it is saturated and then the porous carrier is removed from the liquefied wax and set aside to allow the wax to solidify on the porous carrier to obtain body 24.

When solidified, a small bore can be formed in top of body 24 and wick 28 inserted into the bore and bonded in place with a drop of liquid wax. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, wick 28 is optional and when provided is only employed to initiate combustion of fuel source 20. Thus, wick 28 need not penetrate body 24 to any great extent and a penetration of a half inch of less has been found to be satisfactory. When wick 28 has been placed, another small bore can be formed into the top of body 24, adjacent wick 28, to receive safety match 29. As also mentioned above, safety match 29 is also optional and need not be included. It will also be apparent to those of skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to the use of safety matches and that these are merely preferred for safety reasons and that other ignition devices can be employed if desired.

Ignition of fuel source 20 is easily accomplished by igniting wick 28, if present, or otherwise heating a portion of body 24 and igniting the resulting vaporized solid fuel on the combustion surface 26. When first lit, combustion occurs only in the area adjacent to the point of ignition. However, as the solid fuel adjacent the combustion areas is heated, vaporized and combusted, combustion spreads to substantially the entire exposed combustion surface 26 or body 24, namely, all of the surface except the base which is effectively smothered by the support surface 27 on which it rests. The base of the body 24 when in contact with the support surface 27 does not achieve surface combustion but generally is effectively consumed by the coal, second state combustion, if the porous carrier is combustible.

It should be noted that combustion of fuel source 20 appears to be largely a surface effect and it has been noted in tests that solid fuel which has been liquefied but not vaporized and which has leeched out of body 24 and onto the support surface 27 does not tend to ignite.

Fuel source 20 has been tested using various porous carriers. Tests were conducted using combustible porous carriers with coarse paper and fine paper. In one test the relatively coarse paper employed in egg crates was used as the porous carrier and this has resulted in a relatively hot and quick combustion. The coarse paper used in egg crates is essentially any over-processed wood fibre or short fibre like Krofta Fines, which as expelled during the manufacturing process of wood fibres to achieve fluff pulp. Fluff pulp is used in environmentally friendly diapers and feminine napkins. Because there is a portion of the wood fibre which becomes too short through breakage in manufacturing to be utilized in the machinery used to manufacture fluff pulp, it is dropped from the process as waste.

In another test, finer paper, newsprint, was used as the porous carrier. Newsprint is a finer paper because the wood strand is long and is still considered to be a quality material. The finer paper resulted in a relatively less hot but longer burning combustion. In both cases, it should be noted that the combustion of fuel source 20 appeared to be particularly efficient, with little, if any, soot being produced.

As best understood, the porous carrier apparently transports the solid fuel which has been vaporized from within body 24 to the combustion surface 26 of body 24 wherein combustion is occurring. It is presently believed that the relative coarseness of the porous carrier regulates the speed with which this transport occurs and thus is one of the limiting factors in the combustion process. It is also believed that the porous carrier serves to assist heat transfer from the combustion surface 26 into body 24 to promote vaporization of the solid fuel and that the porous carrier allows for air to be drawn into body 24 below the combustion surface 26 to facilitate clean and complete combustion.

As mentioned above, it is not necessary that the porous carrier be itself combustible. For example, in another test, combustible fuel source 20 has been manufactured with crushed pumice as the porous carrier. In this embodiment, the crushed pumice is placed into an inverted conical form as in FIG. 1A and liquefied wax is poured into the form. When the wax has set, wick 28 and safety match 29 can be inserted if desired, as before.

Although it is not necessary that the product be conical, the conical shape has a number of positive implications. First, the shape allows for maximum stability as a freestanding form.

Second, the conical shape also allows for a more efficient combustion at the maximum surface area while having the aforementioned stability. Referring to FIG. 1B, the tendency is for the osmosis to occur straight up and combust at the top of the porous carrier of the inverted cone 30 and over the somewhat horizontal surface area 32. Thus, if the combustible fuel source is in the shape of a cylinder 34 as opposed to an inverted cone 30, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, it would achieve a slower combustion since the combustion surface area 35 would be much less.

Third, the conical shape speeds the spread of ignition over the entire exposed surface of the unit as the narrow top of the cone warms quickly fueling more heat to quickly heat the wider body near the bottom of the cone.

Fourth, the more efficient shape allows less vapour to escape before complete combustion can occur. Then the sides of the carrier are straight up as in the cylindrical combustible fuel source 34, there are bursts of vaporized fuel which escape outside the area of combustion but with the conical shape 30 the entire exposed horizontal surface area 32 is involved in combustion so that more of the vapour is utilized in the combustion. This effect has been observed for wood fibre carriers and pumice carriers.

In tests, this embodiment of combustible fuel source 20 of FIG. 1A incorporating a pumice porous carrier was found to burn particularly hot and relatively quick and it is believed that this is due to the relatively large amount of heat transferred into body 24 by the pumice from the combustion surface 26, thus promoting the rapid vaporization of the solid fuel. It is contemplated that finer control of the combustion characteristics will be possible by crushing the pumice, or the like, to different particle sizes to achieve more or less porosity in the porous carrier.

Another property of combustible fuel source 20 is that the porous carrier substantially retains its shape and cohesiveness throughout substantially the entire combustion period of combustible fuel source 20. This is believed to be due to the vaporized solid fuel which moves through the porous carrier to the combustion surface 26, the vapours apparently serving to assist the porous carrier in retaining its structure until the solid fuel is exhausted. The porous carrier is aided in retaining its shape by the carbon ash produced during combustion of the solid fuel. This occurs at the surface of the carrier and builds towards the center of the carrier while osmosis is progressing outwardly from the interior of the carrier. Accordingly, it is believed that, for a short time, both stages of combustion are occurring. As the carbon builds at the surface, the carbon molecules continue to effectively bond the carrier's particles together. This simplifies cleanup and disposal of the spent fuel source 20.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is presently preferred for use as a fire starter by hikers, campers and the like and it is believed will start a campfire of wood even if the wood is wet. For example, as discussed below with references to FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention can be used in candles and the like.

FIGS. 2 and 3 shown another embodiment of the combustible fuel source which is useful as a candle, torch or the like. Fuel source 40 is generally cylindrical and, in a similar fashion to fuel source 20 described above, can include an initiation means, such as wick 44, and an ignition means, such as safety match 48.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, fuel source 40 includes a cylindrical body 52 which comprises a porous carrier and a solid fuel and also preferably includes an outer sheath 56 formed of a less porous carrier and/or a denser solid fuel. Sheath 56 has been found to encourage the combustion of fuel source 40 at the upper end of the cylinder and to inhibit the spread of combustion of fuel source 40 from the upper end to the side walls of the cylinder by providing a relatively impermeable barrier to vaporized solid fuel.

In one embodiment of fuel source 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3, body 52 is formed in the same manner as that described above for fuel source 20 illustrated in FIG. 1A, with the pulp of relatively coarse paper fibres being formed into a cylindrical shape, rather than a conical shape, and liquid wax being subsequently impregnated into the dried carrier and allowed to solidify. Sheath 56 is then formed from paper, such as newsprint, which is rolled relatively tightly about body 52 and then dipped briefly into liquid wax. When the wax of sheath 52 has solidified, a bore is formed in the upper end of fuel source 40 and wick 44 can be inserted and/or a bore is formed in the upper end of fuel source 40 and a safety match 48 can be inserted.

In tests, body 52 has been formed of relatively coarse paper fibres from paper egg crates and impregnated with beeswax and sheath 56 has been formed of rolled newsprint which is then impregnated with paraffin wax. This combination has been found to provide a relatively hot flame which is well contained by the paraffin wax in sheath 56. Other combinations have also been successfully tried, including body 52 being formed from rolled newsprint and impregnated with beeswax or paraffin wax and sheath 52 constructed as before.

It should be noted that, as was the case with fuel source 20, wick 44 is only provided, if at all, to simplify the initiation of combustion of fuel source 40. Thus it is not required that wick 44 extend along body 52 to any extent beyond that desired to achieve the desired initiation of combustion and a wick of a half inch or less will generally be sufficient. However, if it is desired to enhance the ease with which fuel source 40 may be re-lit, wick 44 can extend along the majority of body 52 and can be used to relight fuel source 40. Wick 44 is only necessary if the combustible fuel source is used as a flame source as in a candle. The wick 44 may be a cotton fibre wick or any other appropriate wick.

In a similar fashion, safety match 48 is not required and is only provided is desired. If safety match 48 is not provided, any suitable ignition means may be employed.

Also, as mentioned above, the cohesiveness of the porous carrier in fuel source 40 is augmented by the solid fuel vapours which move through the porous carrier and thus fuel source 40 typically does not drop ash or other waste while combustion is occurring.

FIG. 4 illustrates a stove 100 employing a fuel source. Stove 100 comprises an outer shell 104 which, in a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, is an aluminum or steel food or beverage can which has been recycled. As shown in FIG. 4, the tope has been removed from shell 104 and a series of ventilation holes 108 have been placed around the upper edge of shell 104. A fuel source 112 in accordance with the present invention is placed within shell 104 and a bore is formed in the upper surface of fuel source 112 and a wick 116 inserted therein.

The shell 104 provides a support surface on which cooking utensils and pots may be placed and also permits the combustible fuel source 112 to contain a greater than 100% saturation of solid fuel in the porous carrier to increase the energy life of the product.

As with other embodiments, fuel source 112 comprises a porous carrier and a solid fuel. Several varieties of porous carrier have been successfully tested to date, including the above-mentioned relatively coarse paper fibres from paper egg crates which have been soaked and macerated into a pulp which is shaped, pressed and dried. This carrier was then immersed in liquefied paraffin wax until it is impregnated with wax. Stove 100 with such a fuel source 112 has been found to provide sufficient heat to boil a pot of water resting on the upper edge of stove 100 in a reasonably quick manner. It has also been determined that, once the combustion process is fully established in fuel source 112, stove 100 is substantially wind proof or resistant to being extinguished by wind currents and as such it is difficult to extinguish by any means other than smother stove 100.

Another embodiment which was tested for use with stove 100 was a porous carrier formed from tightly rolled corrugated cardboard which was placed in the stove with the channels formed by the corrugations of the cardboard being oriented vertically. Liquefied paraffin wax was then poured into the stove 100 until the porous core would not accept more wax. This embodiment of stove 100 has been found to provide a hot and relatively large flame, the combustion process apparently being augmented by vaporized wax which travels relatively quickly and easily along the above-mentioned channels. As with the other embodiments of stove 100, this embodiment can be difficult to extinguish other than by smothering as it is substantially wind proof.

Other embodiments of the combustible fuel source 112 have also been tested with favourable results, including fuel sources with porous carriers comprising rolled newsprint, crushed pumice, leaves, needles, bark, plant and animal fibre, hair, fur ground bone, grass, cloth, leather, chaff from grain farming and processing, hay, straw, dust, lint, coal powder and steel wool. Solid fuels which have been tested include beeswax, waxes including paraffin and petroleum waxes, fats and oils from sources including canola, soya, lard, vegetable or animal plus petroleum oils and greases. It is not necessary to use wax to blend and solidify the oils but it is preferred to allow for cleaner handling of the materials.

Generally, the preference is to use a 50% blend of wax with the secondary solid fuel chosen. Moreover, it is preferred to use wax in outdoor products intended to be carried in clothing prior to use.

As with the other embodiments, wick 116 is not required and other suitable means of initiating combustion can be employed as will occur to those of skill in the art. Or in the alternative, the combustible fuel source may simply be ignited by holding the surface close to an open flame.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, fuel source 200 is configured for use in a wood or coal-fired stove or furnace. Fuel source 200 comprises a porous carrier and a solid fuel, as before. Representative examples of suitable porous carriers include paper fibres formed and dried as described above, wrapped cloth, powdered coal and/or non-combustible materials such as crushed or ground pumice, sand or the like. The solid fuel used in fuel source 200 can comprise paraffin wax, beeswax, or animal or vegetable derived waxes, shortenings or the like.

It is contemplated that in such general heating applications, it may be desirable to limit the area of the combustion surface to reduce the combustion rate. In such cases, fuel source 200 can first be placed in a shield, such as a metal pan (not shown), which closely matches the outside dimensions of fuel source 200 and which serves to limit combustion surface to the upper surface 202 of the fuel source 200 and to inhibit combustion from occurring on the sides. To inhibit combustion on the sides of the combustible fuel source 200 it is desirable to place the shield in close proximity to the combustible fuel source 200.

For example, it has been found that if the shield is placed one half inch from the sides of fuel source 200 then combustion of the side of the fuel source 200 is substantially prevented. It is not necessary to put the shield in contact with the sides of the fuel source 200.

In a test, a fifteen inch by twelve inch by four inch fuel source 200 comprising a porous carrier formed when tightly wound bristle board (fine cardboard) impregnated with paraffin wax and placed in a shield, as described above, was combusted in a wood burning furnace. Fuel source 200 was found to burn in the furnace for approximately twenty-four hours and to provide the equivalent amount of heat as a medium side wood fire. In this test, the combustion of the wax appeared to be sufficiently complete that no substantial amount of harmful chimney deposits were visually detected.

It is also contemplated that fuel source 200 is formed of a non-combustible porous carrier, such as pumice, in which case the solid fuel may be replenished as desired. For example, if a slab or brick like carrier is employed, additional solid fuel can be liquefied and introduced to the lower surface of the porous carrier. Alternatively, solid fuel can be introduced adjacent to the porous carrier and liquefied by waste heat from the combustion. In either case, this liquefied solid fuel is drawn into the porous carrier under osmosis-like action and is heated therein, vaporized and combusted. It is contemplated that this introduction of additional solid fuel can be accomplished on an ongoing basis, if desired, by any suitable means as would occur to those of skill in the art. Alternatively, the porous carrier can be recovered, when fuel source 200 is spent, and re-impregnated with solid fuel as desired.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fuel source wherein an improved match 300 includes a fuel source 304 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, fuel source 304 comprises a porous carrier and solid fuel, as before, which has been bonded to a carrier stick 308. Carrier stick 308 can be formed of combustible materials such a wood or paper like a conventional match, or can be formed of incombustible materials such as metal or glass if desired. A conventional match-type ignition composition 312 is located at the tip of fuel source 304 such that, when appropriate struck, composition 312 ignites initiating combustion of fuel source 304. It is contemplated that, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to include a wick (not shown) extending from fuel source 304 into composition 312 to assist in the initiation of combustion of fuel source 304. As match 300 combusts fuel source 304, rather than carrier stick 308 as in a conventional match, it is contemplated that match 300 will provide a longer burn time and/or a greater heat supply and, like other embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment can be difficult to extinguish other than by smothering.

Further, match 300 is presently believed to be an effective method of initiating combustion in fuel sources in accordance with the present invention wherein a wick is not provided. The substantial heat developed by match 300 and its relatively long burn time are advantageous for this purpose.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a cooking pot 400 which has a layer of combustible fuel source 404 adhered to the bottom thereof. When the layer of combustible fuel source 404 is appropriately ignited using ignition means the combustible fuel source 404 burns heating the pot 400 and thereby cooking whatever is contained within the pot. The length of cooking required will determine the thickness of the layer of the combustible fuel source.

FIG. 8 illustrates a wood pellet combustible fuel source 500. Wood pellets can be used as a fuel enhancer. In a preferred embodiment, the woodpellet is a blend of powdered bark and a powdered blend of wood/paper pulp and fat product. The powdered blend is heat compressed with the powdered bark which acts as a bonding agent (see example 4).

All of the above embodiments exemplified in the figures may also contain waste materials or recovery blends. A recovery blend is any material which would be potentially toxic if eaten, potentially toxic to the environment and/or are considered waste materials. For example, a clean fibre such as recycled non-toxic paper that has only been exposed to vegetable dyes is a natural blend not a recovery blend. Recovery blends include any material which may not be safe. In the case of cloth fibre, this material would not be considered a recovery blend if natural plant fibre was processed into the carrier and there were no toxic dyes in its composition. On the other hand, coloured or chemically treated cloth fibres may be recovered efficiently by the process but could not be considered non-toxic prior to combustion and therefore are a recovery blend.

The recovery blends may be incorporated into the porous carrier or the solid fuel. The general rule is that any material that can be blended with the oil or liquid wax and will pass through the surface of the porous carrier is introduced into the solid fuel saturation process and the others are introduced into make up of the porous carrier.

Recovery blends that are incorporated into the combustible fuel source achieve a more complete and efficient combustion.

The waste material can be processed into a powder and then blended with the wood/paper pulp. The blend is then pressed into the preselected shape to form the porous carrier, as discussed above.

Alternatively, the waste material can be blended with powdered fibre material, termed flash powder, and then using dry heat compression the porous carrier can be formed to achieve the desired shape (see example 8).

In a further alternative, the waste material could form the porous carrier by itself without a further fibre carrier. In this latter process, the waste material would be powdered and pressed into the appropriate shape.

Waste materials which have been employed include railway “ties”, telephone pole, creosote, powdered coal, calcium oxalate solids, krofta fines, bark, wood/paper and ink waste stream material from recycled paper industry. In addition waste sludge from waste water treatment plants may also be appropriate material to include in the porous carrier.

Waste materials which are not detrimental to the environment but are often placed in household waste, including garden waste which may be incorporated into the porous carrier, including leaves, pine needles, grass clipping and natural cloth fibres. In addition certain, natural wastes created in industrial processing, such as fish processing plants which produce fish fat as waste, or slaughter houses which produce animal fat as waste, or slaughter houses which produce animal fat as waste, could be incorporated into the combustible fuel source of the invention.

It has also been observed that when the combustible fuel source combusted insects are repelled from an area around said combustion. It is believed that the vapour expelled during combustion of the combustible fuel source of the present invention contains an aspect of biological material which interferes with the ability of the inset to locate a food source and as a result the insect relocates to a remote area away from the combustion site. In particular, this has been observed with mosquitoes and blackflies. It has been further observed that the mosquitoes and blackflies will not return to the combustion site for several days.

The following examples are further illustrations of particular embodiments of the absorbent material of the invention or processes for producing such embodiments.

EXAMPLE 1 Petroleum Recovery

In a first embodiment, the absorbent material of the present invention, manufactured as described above is ground in to a relatively fine powder, termed flash powder. The flash powder can be used in its powdered form, or can be pressed into pellets. The flash powder can be used to absorb oil and petroleum products from an oil spill, both on water and on land.

Flash powder is produced by grinding the processed fiber and wax/fax block to a powder. There are two methods to achieve a pellet. First the flash powder can be compressed into a pellet, or the basic methods of producing may simply be processed into a small unit so that the individual pieces of produced are the size desired for the pellet.

The powdered form is the most efficient form of the material to recover petroleum spills. Once the material has been processed to the desired powder or pellet, it can then be introduced to the toxic spill where the flash powder incorporates the petroleum into the powder and holds the petroleum in a solid state for recovery.

Once the petroleum contaminated flash powder/pellets have been recovered from the spill site it is easily recovered as petroleum in any of several methods. The petroleum-laden product can be diluted with a secondary petroleum product and passed through a screen filtration to remove the fiber. Alternatively, the contaminated flash powder can be warmed and passed through a warmed screen to filter the fiber.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the flash powder can be introduced to a waste material such as an oil spill and when lit, the flash powder together with the oil is combusted. The combustion can be effected on a spill on water and the flash powder will not absorb the water, but will immediately absorb the oil.

Once the oil has been absorbed, the oil laden flash powder will continue to remain buoyant and can easily be removed from the water for transport to a remote location and combusted there or can be combusted on the surface of the water and the material remains after the burn is solid and wax-like and is easily removed from the water's surface and continues to remain buoyant. The emissions from the combustion are minimized due to the efficient combustion characteristics of the flash powder.

EXAMPLE 2 Soil Stabilization and Fertilization

The absorbent material of the present invention can also be used as a soil stabilizer or fertilizer. By adding soil balancing chemicals, fertilizers and/or varying the source of the fiber, an excellent material for farming, gardening and land reclamation product is produced.

Generally, hydrocarbons, such as wax, are used as the main impregnating substance. It is believed that these substances permit a time release characteristic as well as exhibiting a binding effect when blended with sand or dry soil. This permits the slow release of desired chemical agents to the treated soil and aids in soil stabilization.

The absorbent qualities of the material also help to retain water in the soil and permit its use in land reclamation and farming.

EXAMPLE 3 Traction Agent

The time release material of the present invention can be used as a traction agent for improved traction on wet or iced road surfaces.

The time release material is manufactured as described above, and can incorporate additional substances into the pulp or impregnating substance. For example, salt can be added to the water saturation of the production line and this will aid in melting ice and snow. The fat/wax impregnating substance permits a time release of the incorporated additional substances, but the material can work effectively without the addition of fat, wax or oil.

Equally, any abrasive, such as charcoal or sand, can be included in the manufacture to increase the traction properties.

EXAMPLE 4 Fire Suppressant and Water Retention Product

The absorbent material of the present invention can be used as a fire suppressant and water retention aid.

Generally, the pulp used for this product is formed of wood fibers. The processing of the wood fiber used of the pulp is the key to this product. Any pulp additive that cause the wet processed wood fiber to “congeal” can be employed. Additionally, chemicals agents that suppress combustion, such as bio sands, clay, or sodium bicarbonate, can be incorporated into the pulp or impregnating substance. The manufacturing process can incorporate any natural fiber including fluff pulp, a derivative of wood, used in diapers and feminine products, that absorbs substantial moisture and holds that moisture. The manufacture may or may not include fat, wax, or oils used as the impregnating substance.

The more processed the wood fiber is the more absorbent the fiber becomes and the more absorbent the fiber becomes the greater the amount of water which will be retained in the porous carrier. This will result in an absorbent material ideal for fire suppression.

When thus prepared, the absorbent material of this embodiment can be used to controlling or suppress fires, and protect structures threatened by fire. The absorbent material has the property of retaining water. When used in a fire situation, the material smothers or wets the fire. When the material is voided of moisture, when reaching high temperatures, the processed fiber naturally inhibits combustion and will tend to produce flame-suppressing smoke that is believed to rob the fire of oxygen.

When this embodiment is used for land reclamation, specifically in dry or desert areas, the product will hold moisture in the soil, creating a stability in the soil and retaining moisture as it is introduced to the treated soil over time. The material holds the humidity in place and effects a maximum benefit of that moisture for farming purposes and plant growth.

EXAMPLE 5 Absorbent Material comprising Wood Fiber Fluff using a Steam Process

Dry wood/paper pulp can be ground or finely shredded to wood fiber fluff. The resulting wood fiber fluff can b compressed to the desired shape and then steam can be forced into the compressed fluff form. The steam causes the wood fibers to bind together and in this manner the block form is achieved. The advantage of this process is a greatly reduced drying time is required to form the block prior to saturation with the chosen impregnating substance. It is understood that a similar method is employed in some processes for making particular types of fiber containers, including egg cartons. Grinding is then effected as above.

EXAMPLE 6 Absorbent Material comprising a Porous Carrier obtained from a Sheet Layering Process

The block can also be formed by taking thin sheets of porous wood fiber, such as balsa wood, or sheets of paper or cardboard and layering these sheets to the desired thickness and then using any method desired to apply even pressure. This pressure need only be great enough to secure continuous contact between each layer of fiber sheets. The block can then be introduced to the liquefied impregnating substance until the fiber is completely saturated. The resulting block is then be removed from the fuel and allowed to solidify, if it was to be a solid fuel, before, the chosen method of compression would be removed. Grinding is then effected as above.

EXAMPLE 7 Production of Pellets using Dry Heat Compression

Dry heat compression can be used to bond two or more different materials using a powdered absorbent material. The impregnating substance in the powder acts as a bonding agent. For example, dry powdered tree bark blended with flash powder to form a pellet. The flash powder is blended with the desired amount of powdered bark. This bark/flash powder blend is then compressed into a heated metal or stone form, at temperatures generally from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which form represents the desired shape and size of a block according to the present invention. Very quickly the fuel components in the flash powder liquefy and while liquefied and under pressure, quickly penetrate the bark powder. The form or pellet is then expelled from the heated form and cooled to solidify the material into a solid unit such as a pellet, or ground to form a powder.

The dry heat compression is the most desirable method of manufacturing pellets, which are approximately 1-2 cm in thickness and 1 and ½ cm in length. It should be noted that pellets may be manufactured from other materials other than bark, including calcium oxalate solids.

EXAMPLE 8 Fuel Pellets and Dry Heat Compression

Dry heat compression can be used to bond two or more different materials using a powdered combustible fuel source of the present invention termed flash powder. The flash powder acts as a bonding agent. For example, dry powdered tree bark blended with flash powder to create high energy recovery blend fuel pellet.

The flash powder is generally obtained from the waste created in the manufacturing process of a combustible fuel source of the present invention. In particular, the waste created when a fuel block or other preselected shape has been cut to size. This flash powder is then blended with the desired amount of powdered bark. This bark/flash powder blend is then compressed into a heated metal or stone form at temperatures generally from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which form represents the desired shape and size of the finished fuel product. Very quickly the fuel components in the flash powder liquefy and while liquefied and under pressure, quickly penetrate the bark powder. The form or pellet is then expelled from the heated form and cooled to solidify the material into a solid unit such as a pellet.

The dry heat compression is the most desirable method of manufacturing fuel pellets, which are approximately 1-2 cm in thickness and 1 and ½ cm in length. It should be noted that pellets may be manufactured from other materials other than bark, including calcium oxalate solids.

The above mentioned methods of production may also be combined. One could use flash powder, dry wood/paper fibre fluff and dry heat compression to achieve the desired form. In another process, steam heat compression could be used to create a form using a blend of wood/paper fibre fluff and powdered bark. In another process, steam heat compression could be used to create a form using a blend of wood/paper fibre fluff and powdered bark. In another process, layered sheets of paper or porous wood fibre could be compressed using pressure and steam and then allowing this material to dry while pressure is continued. Once dried it is saturated with the chosen fuel source. These are alternative processes in addition to the wet fibre compression method early described.

Any of these methods of manufacturing may be employed as long as the density of the carrier and the thickness of the finished product can be achieved as required for the specific product to provide the appropriate combustion characteristics of the fuel source of this invention.

The above mentioned methods of production may also be combined. One could use flash powder, dry wood/paper fiber fluff and dry heat compression to achieve the desired form. In another process, steam heat compression could be used to create a form using a blend of wood/paper fiber fluff and powdered bark. In another process, layered sheets of paper or porous wood fiber could be compressed using pressure and steam and then allowing this material to dry while pressure is continued. Once dried it is saturated with the chosen impregnating substance. These are alternative process in addition to the wet fiber compression method early described.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto. 

1. An absorbent and time release material in the form of a powder, shavings, or sawdust, manufactured in accordance with a method comprising the steps of: providing a pulp from a fibrous material; forming said pulp into a block; drying said block; impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance; grinding said impregnated block.
 2. The material according to claim 1, wherein said pulp comprises cloth fibers.
 3. The material according to claim 1, wherein said pulp comprises cellulose fibers.
 4. The material according to claim 3, wherein said cellulose fibers are dried paper pulp.
 5. The material according to claim 3, wherein said cellulose fibers are short strand wood fibers.
 6. The material according to claim 3, wherein said cellulose fibers are long strand wood fibers.
 7. The material according to claim 3, wherein said cellulose fibers are wood fibers from the processing of wood fiber fluff.
 8. The material according to claim 1, wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising paraffin wax, beeswax, wax derived from animal products and wax derived from vegetable products.
 9. The material according to claim 1, wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising petroleum wax, motor oil and grease.
 10. The material according to claim 1, wherein said pulp includes powdered material selected from one or more of the following waste material: railway ties, telephone poles, creosote, powdered coal, calcium oxalate-solids, Krofta™ fines, or bark.
 11. The material according to claim 1, wherein the substance is paraffin wax or beeswax.
 12. The material according to claim 1, wherein the step of impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance comprises immersing the block in the substance.
 13. The material according to claim 1 in the form of a powder.
 14. The material according to claim 1 used for suppressing fires.
 15. The material according to claim 1 used for land reclamation.
 16. The material according to claim 1 used for soil enhancement.
 17. The material according to claim 1 used as a traction agent.
 18. The material according to claim 1 used to recover petroleum products resulting from a spill.
 19. A method of manufacturing an absorbent and time release material comprising the steps of: providing a pulp from a fibrous material; forming said pulp into a block; drying said block; impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance; grinding said impregnated block to form powder, shavings, or sawdust.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said pulp comprises cloth fibers.
 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said pulp comprises cellulose fibers.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said cellulose fibers are dried paper pulp.
 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said cellulose fibers are short strand wood fibers.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein said cellulose fibers are long strand wood fibers.
 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein said cellulose fibers are wood fibers from the processing of wood fiber fluff.
 26. The method according to claim 19, wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising paraffin wax, beeswax, wax derived from animal products and wax derived from vegetable products.
 27. The method according to claim 19, wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising petroleum wax, motor oil and grease.
 28. The method according to claim 19, wherein said pulp includes powdered material selected from one or more of the following waste material: railway ties, telephone poles, creosote, powdered coal, calcium oxalate-solids, Krofta™ fines, or bark.
 29. The method according to claim 19, wherein the substance is paraffin wax or beeswax.
 30. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance comprises immersing the block in the substance.
 31. The material according to claim 19, wherein the step of grinding said impregnated block results in the formation of a powder. 